Sanjay Mishra: I don't like being called a comedian

Known for his hits like 'Golmaal' series and 'All the Best: Fun Begins', actor Sanjay Mishra says he does not like the tag of a 'comedian' as he is an actor first.

Sanjay Mishra

The 51-year-old actor, who first gained popularity in the role of Shukla, a corrupt paan-loving employee in TV serial "Office Office", said even though he is known for his comic-timing, there is more to him as an actor.

"I am known only as a 'comedian' in Hindi films, a tag which I disagree with. I believe I am an actor first. I wanted to be an actor since I was a child," Mishra told PTI, during a visit here.

"But I am glad that people have started knowing me as an actor post 'Masaan'. I feel happy that the audience are waiting to watch a movie like 'Masaan' and are accepting off-beat movies."

Mishra, who received his first Filmfare Best Actor Award (critics) for Rajat Kapoor's "Ankhon Dekhi" and got rave reviews for his performances in "Dum Laga Ke Haisha" and "Phas Gaye Re Obama", believes content is the real hero in Hindi cinema now.

"Our cinema is going through its best phase. Films like "Aankhon Dekhi" and "Dum Laga Ke Haisha" don't have heroism in them.

We are breaking this 'heroism' and focusing on story-telling. Now, we need characters and actors unlike earlier where there was one hero surrounded by characters."

Mishra will be next seen in debutante director Neeraj Ghaywan's "Masaan", which won two awards at the Cannes International Film Festival- FIPRESCI, International Jury of Film Critics prize and Promising Future prize.

"It is my bad luck that I am never there to see my success. When the movie ('Masaan') was receiving award at Cannes, I was shooting in Uttar Pradesh. I still haven't seen the film, but I am hearing good reviews from people."

"Masaan", also starring Richa Chadda, Vicky Kaushal and Shweta Tripathi in pivotal roles, revolves around a bunch of characters trying to escape their small town moralities.

The film is scheduled to release on July 24.

Mishra will be next seen in director Rohit Shetty's Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol starrer "Dilwale", releasing on December 18.